OilEssential oil
Peppermint oil
Mentha × piperita
Cool scent for a stuffy room or a diluted roll-on. Not for the kettle.
Peppermint oil is menthol-bright and easy to overdo. A drop in a steam bowl or a well-diluted rub is plenty. It is not a flavoring for tea — that is the leaf.
Traditional uses
- A single drop in a bowl of hot water for steam (eyes closed)
- Diluted in carrier oil for a cool temple or foot rub
- A drop in an unscented household cleaner
How to prepare
- 1
Steam: 1 drop in a bowl of hot water. Towel over the head, two or three minutes.
- 2
Roll-on: 1 drop per teaspoon of jojoba. Shake. Patch test.
- 3
Cleaning: 4–6 drops in a spray bottle of vinegar and water.
Kitchen & home
- Open a window after you steam.
- Keep the bottle away from the tea tin so no one adds it to a cup.
- A little goes a long way in small rooms.
Go gently
- Do not ingest. Do not use on or near the faces of children under six.
- Can irritate skin and eyes. Dilute.
- Skip around pets unless you know it is tolerated — mint oils can be harsh for cats.
